The EU’s Digital Sovereignty and Quantum Technologies: To What End?

The EU’s Digital Sovereignty and Quantum Technologies: To What End? external link

Vogiatzoglou, P. & van Hoboken, J.

Forthcoming in Law, Innovation and Technology, 2025

Abstract

Digital sovereignty, as a core EU policy objective, conveys the urgency of reducing dependencies, safeguarding European values, and regaining control over data, infrastructure, and technologies through regulation, strategic investments and geopolitical partnerships. However, it is a broad term encompassing different elements, and achieving some form of digital sovereignty remains questionable. This paper argues that digital sovereignty is less about what the term tends to convey and more about legitimising points of control. First, we examine the evolution of sovereignty and resulting regulation in relation to digital infrastructures and technologies. Second, we focus on the less-studied field of quantum technologies, which has become a recent anchor point for EU digital sovereignty policy. We highlight how, underlying the efforts to assert control and attain independence, digital sovereignty operates performatively to construct the European identity and produces tangible effects, such as the allocation of funds towards uncertain technological goals and select European actors.

Links

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5461374

Digital sovereignty, quantum technologies

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Vogiatzoglou, P.
AU  - van Hoboken, J.
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025-09-11
T1  - The EU’s Digital Sovereignty and Quantum Technologies: To What End?
JO  - Forthcoming in Law, Innovation and Technology
UR  - https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5461374
AB  - Digital sovereignty, as a core EU policy objective, conveys the urgency of reducing dependencies, safeguarding European values, and regaining control over data, infrastructure, and technologies through regulation, strategic investments and geopolitical partnerships. However, it is a broad term encompassing different elements, and achieving some form of digital sovereignty remains questionable. This paper argues that digital sovereignty is less about what the term tends to convey and more about legitimising points of control. First, we examine the evolution of sovereignty and resulting regulation in relation to digital infrastructures and technologies. Second, we focus on the less-studied field of quantum technologies, which has become a recent anchor point for EU digital sovereignty policy. We highlight how, underlying the efforts to assert control and attain independence, digital sovereignty operates performatively to construct the European identity and produces tangible effects, such as the allocation of funds towards uncertain technological goals and select European actors.
K1  - Digital sovereignty
K1  - quantum technologies
ER  -

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Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {The EU’s Digital Sovereignty and Quantum Technologies: To What End?},
	author = {Vogiatzoglou, P. and van Hoboken, J.},
	year = {2025},
	date = {2025-09-11},
	journal = {Forthcoming in Law, Innovation and Technology},
	abstract = {Digital sovereignty, as a core EU policy objective, conveys the urgency of reducing dependencies, safeguarding European values, and regaining control over data, infrastructure, and technologies through regulation, strategic investments and geopolitical partnerships. However, it is a broad term encompassing different elements, and achieving some form of digital sovereignty remains questionable. This paper argues that digital sovereignty is less about what the term tends to convey and more about legitimising points of control. First, we examine the evolution of sovereignty and resulting regulation in relation to digital infrastructures and technologies. Second, we focus on the less-studied field of quantum technologies, which has become a recent anchor point for EU digital sovereignty policy. We highlight how, underlying the efforts to assert control and attain independence, digital sovereignty operates performatively to construct the European identity and produces tangible effects, such as the allocation of funds towards uncertain technological goals and select European actors.},
	keywords = {Digital sovereignty, quantum technologies},
}

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Allocating Access to Quantum Computing: A Legal-Ethical Framework external link

Lane, B., Mittal, A. & Torres-Knoop, A.

Quantum for Good, 2025

Links

https://quantumforgood.eu/allocating-access-to-quantum-computing-a-legal-ethical-framework/

quantum technologies

RIS

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Export Controls as Innovation Marketing? Sociotechnical Imaginaries in the Ringfencing of Quantum Technologies external link

Nguyen, A.

Law, Technology and Humans, vol. 7, iss. : 1, pp: 68-83, 2025

Abstract

Why are a host of states, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, imposing export controls on quantum computers with technical specifications (e.g. 2000 qubits) that are not yet realisable? No full-fledged ‘useful’ quantum technology (QT) exists yet; instead, the regulatory object of export controls is the network of technological artefacts (equipment, prototype, proof-of-concepts), people and labs (the ‘assemblage’ of quantum innovation) endeavouring to make quantum a reality. Thus, export controls serve mainly as atool of knowledge regulation over critical knowledge and R&D exchanges taking place to realise the quantum ambition. This article contends that it is not the material reality of quantum innovation –which is still mired in major engineering challenges –that informs export control efforts surrounding QT, but rather the ‘sociotechnical imaginary’ of quantum that serves as the ‘muse’ for law-and policy-makers. Quantum imaginaries are pivotal to understanding the rationales of QT export controls and the narratives in which they are entrenched. It is not necessarily the ‘2000 qubits’ in and of themselves, their technical (non-)feasibility or (non-)realisability, but rather the imaginaries told and believed about their technological possibilities and power thatare decisive in the ringfencing performed by export controls on QT.

Links

quantum technologies

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Nguyen, A.
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025-04-29
T1  - Export Controls as Innovation Marketing? Sociotechnical Imaginaries in the Ringfencing of Quantum Technologies
JO  - Law, Technology and Humans
VL  - 7
IS  - 1
SP  - 68-83
UR  - https://lthj.qut.edu.au/article/view/3777
DO  - https://doi.org/10.5204/lthj.3777
AB  - Why are a  host of states, such as  the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, imposing export  controls  on quantum computers  with technical  specifications (e.g. 2000 qubits)  that are not yet realisable?  No full-fledged ‘useful’ quantum technology (QT) exists yet; instead, the regulatory  object  of export controls is the network  of  technological  artefacts (equipment, prototype, proof-of-concepts), people  and labs (the ‘assemblage’ of quantum innovation) endeavouring to make quantum a reality. Thus, export controls serve mainly as atool of knowledge regulation over critical  knowledge and R&D  exchanges taking place  to realise  the quantum ambition. This article contends that it is not the material reality of quantum innovation –which is still mired in major engineering challenges –that informs export control efforts surrounding QT, but rather the ‘sociotechnical imaginary’ of quantum that serves as the ‘muse’ for law-and policy-makers. Quantum imaginaries are pivotal to understanding the rationales of QT export controls and the narratives in which they are entrenched. It is not necessarily the ‘2000 qubits’ in and of themselves, their technical (non-)feasibility or (non-)realisability, but rather the imaginaries told and believed about their technological possibilities and power thatare decisive in the ringfencing performed by export controls on QT.
K1  - quantum technologies
ER  -

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Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {Export Controls as Innovation Marketing? Sociotechnical Imaginaries in the Ringfencing of Quantum Technologies},
	author = {Nguyen, A.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.5204/lthj.3777},
	year = {2025},
	date = {2025-04-29},
	journal = {Law, Technology and Humans},
	volume = {7},
	issue = {1},
	pages = {68-83},
	abstract = {Why are a  host of states, such as  the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands, imposing export  controls  on quantum computers  with technical  specifications (e.g. 2000 qubits)  that are not yet realisable?  No full-fledged ‘useful’ quantum technology (QT) exists yet; instead, the regulatory  object  of export controls is the network  of  technological  artefacts (equipment, prototype, proof-of-concepts), people  and labs (the ‘assemblage’ of quantum innovation) endeavouring to make quantum a reality. Thus, export controls serve mainly as atool of knowledge regulation over critical  knowledge and R&D  exchanges taking place  to realise  the quantum ambition. This article contends that it is not the material reality of quantum innovation –which is still mired in major engineering challenges –that informs export control efforts surrounding QT, but rather the ‘sociotechnical imaginary’ of quantum that serves as the ‘muse’ for law-and policy-makers. Quantum imaginaries are pivotal to understanding the rationales of QT export controls and the narratives in which they are entrenched. It is not necessarily the ‘2000 qubits’ in and of themselves, their technical (non-)feasibility or (non-)realisability, but rather the imaginaries told and believed about their technological possibilities and power thatare decisive in the ringfencing performed by export controls on QT.},
	keywords = {quantum technologies},
}

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The EU’s Quest for Digital Sovereignty: A Matter of Quantum Innovation? external link

Vogiatzoglou, P.

Digital Society, vol. 4, 2025

Abstract

The EU increasingly seeks to assert its digital sovereignty by boosting innovation and norm-setting in, among other, quantum technologies. This objective is generally reflected in numerous policy documents and crystallised in the Digital Decade Policy Programme, which sets specific targets to achieve it. The EU policy documents recognise a world-changing potential of quantum technologies whilst remaining vigilant due to their potential disruptive impact. This white paper maps the way the ambition of digital sovereignty is interwoven with the development of quantum technologies in the EU digital policy and legislation. It documents empirical work, identifying thirty policy and legal documents which were produced during the past five years and bind digital sovereignty and quantum technologies together. The aim of this white paper is to bring attention to and invite further examination of the complex interrelation between digital sovereignty and quantum innovation. In this way, the white paper wishes to spark a broader conversation on the feasibility and desirability of emerging and future tech governance approaches.

Links

Digital sovereignty, innovation, quantum technologies

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Vogiatzoglou, P.
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025-03-10
T1  - The EU’s Quest for Digital Sovereignty: A Matter of Quantum Innovation?
JO  - Digital Society
VL  - 4
UR  - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44206-025-00162-1
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44206-025-00162-1
AB  - The EU increasingly seeks to assert its digital sovereignty by boosting innovation and norm-setting in, among other, quantum technologies. This objective is generally reflected in numerous policy documents and crystallised in the Digital Decade Policy Programme, which sets specific targets to achieve it. The EU policy documents recognise a world-changing potential of quantum technologies whilst remaining vigilant due to their potential disruptive impact. This white paper maps the way the ambition of digital sovereignty is interwoven with the development of quantum technologies in the EU digital policy and legislation. It documents empirical work, identifying thirty policy and legal documents which were produced during the past five years and bind digital sovereignty and quantum technologies together. The aim of this white paper is to bring attention to and invite further examination of the complex interrelation between digital sovereignty and quantum innovation. In this way, the white paper wishes to spark a broader conversation on the feasibility and desirability of emerging and future tech governance approaches.
K1  - Digital sovereignty
K1  - innovation
K1  - quantum technologies
ER  -

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Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {The EU’s Quest for Digital Sovereignty: A Matter of Quantum Innovation?},
	author = {Vogiatzoglou, P.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44206-025-00162-1},
	year = {2025},
	date = {2025-03-10},
	journal = {Digital Society},
	volume = {4},
	abstract = {The EU increasingly seeks to assert its digital sovereignty by boosting innovation and norm-setting in, among other, quantum technologies. This objective is generally reflected in numerous policy documents and crystallised in the Digital Decade Policy Programme, which sets specific targets to achieve it. The EU policy documents recognise a world-changing potential of quantum technologies whilst remaining vigilant due to their potential disruptive impact. This white paper maps the way the ambition of digital sovereignty is interwoven with the development of quantum technologies in the EU digital policy and legislation. It documents empirical work, identifying thirty policy and legal documents which were produced during the past five years and bind digital sovereignty and quantum technologies together. The aim of this white paper is to bring attention to and invite further examination of the complex interrelation between digital sovereignty and quantum innovation. In this way, the white paper wishes to spark a broader conversation on the feasibility and desirability of emerging and future tech governance approaches.},
	keywords = {Digital sovereignty, innovation, quantum technologies},
}

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Cybersecurity in the financial sector and the quantum-safe cryptography transition: in search of a precautionary approach in the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act framework

Jančiūtė, L.

International Cybersecurity Law Review, vol. 6, pp: 145-154, 2025

Abstract

An ever more digitalised financial sector is exposed to a growing number of cyberattacks. Given the criticality and interconnectedness of this sector, cyber threats here represent not only operational risks, but also systemic risks. In the long run, the emerging cyber risks include developments in quantum computing threatening widely used encryption safeguarding digital networks. Globally in the financial sector, some initiatives have already been taking place to explore the possible mitigating measures. This paper argues that for an industry-wide transition to quantum-safe cryptography the precautionary principle is relevant. In the EU, financial entities now have to be compliant with the Digital Operational Resilience Act strengthening ICT security requirements. This research traces the obligation to adopt quantum-resistant precautionary measures under its framework.

Links

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1365/s43439-025-00135-7

Cybersecurity, quantum technologies

RIS

TY  - NEWS
AU  - Jančiūtė, L.
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025-03-05
T1  - Cybersecurity in the financial sector and the quantum-safe cryptography transition: in search of a precautionary approach in the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act framework
JO  - International Cybersecurity Law Review
VL  - 6
SP  - 145-154
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1365/s43439-025-00135-7
AB  - An ever more digitalised financial sector is exposed to a growing number of cyberattacks. Given the criticality and interconnectedness of this sector, cyber threats here represent not only operational risks, but also systemic risks. In the long run, the emerging cyber risks include developments in quantum computing threatening widely used encryption safeguarding digital networks. Globally in the financial sector, some initiatives have already been taking place to explore the possible mitigating measures. This paper argues that for an industry-wide transition to quantum-safe cryptography the precautionary principle is relevant. In the EU, financial entities now have to be compliant with the Digital Operational Resilience Act strengthening ICT security requirements. This research traces the obligation to adopt quantum-resistant precautionary measures under its framework.
K1  - Cybersecurity
K1  - quantum technologies
ER  -

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Bibtex

Newspaper article{nokey,
	title = {Cybersecurity in the financial sector and the quantum-safe cryptography transition: in search of a precautionary approach in the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act framework},
	author = {Jančiūtė, L.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1365/s43439-025-00135-7},
	year = {2025},
	date = {2025-03-05},
	journal = {International Cybersecurity Law Review},
	volume = {6},
	pages = {145-154},
	abstract = {An ever more digitalised financial sector is exposed to a growing number of cyberattacks. Given the criticality and interconnectedness of this sector, cyber threats here represent not only operational risks, but also systemic risks. In the long run, the emerging cyber risks include developments in quantum computing threatening widely used encryption safeguarding digital networks. Globally in the financial sector, some initiatives have already been taking place to explore the possible mitigating measures. This paper argues that for an industry-wide transition to quantum-safe cryptography the precautionary principle is relevant. In the EU, financial entities now have to be compliant with the Digital Operational Resilience Act strengthening ICT security requirements. This research traces the obligation to adopt quantum-resistant precautionary measures under its framework.},
	keywords = {Cybersecurity, quantum technologies},
}

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Probing the production of quantum technologies to imagine its legal framework

Mittal, A.

Research Directions: Quantum Technologies, vol. 3, 2025

Abstract

Quantum technologies (QT) are being awaited with excitement. They are supported by many governments, the corporate sector, international bodies and technology forecasters. There is discursive investment as well in terms of creating expectations and laying down a vision for the ‘Second Quantum Revolution’. Science and technology studies are also playing their part to think of the quantum future along with philosophical discussions around it. These visions and expectations perform an implicit and latent function of steering policy proposals and governance. At the current stage of development of quantum technologies, a comprehensive and cogent legal framework is hard to envisage. As it is difficult to foresee the final shape of these technologies, a way to proceed can be to focus on the legal enquiry related to economic, political and policy factors which contribute to its material emergence. This can broaden the focus from thinking about its impact to contextualizing its production and development. Further, it allows a way of determining the extent to which social science and ethical frames can apply to the governance of QT, given the legal and practical realities of technology production and use. This article maps the myriad governance frameworks being envisaged to think about the future of QT. It zooms onto the discussion related to the access divide being framed for QT to understand the points of legal intervention. It uses the case of quantum computing to understand the way legal and practical policy solutions have been ideated. It highlights the way these solutions entrench power of digital infrastructure providers further. This seeks to motivate further work to expand the scope of a legal framework for QT.

Links

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2024.6

quantum technologies

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Mittal, A.
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025-01-08
T1  - Probing the production of quantum technologies to imagine its legal framework
JO  - Research Directions: Quantum Technologies
VL  - 3
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2024.6
AB  - Quantum technologies (QT) are being awaited with excitement. They are supported by many governments, the corporate sector, international bodies and technology forecasters. There is discursive investment as well in terms of creating expectations and laying down a vision for the ‘Second Quantum Revolution’. Science and technology studies are also playing their part to think of the quantum future along with philosophical discussions around it. These visions and expectations perform an implicit and latent function of steering policy proposals and governance. At the current stage of development of quantum technologies, a comprehensive and cogent legal framework is hard to envisage. As it is difficult to foresee the final shape of these technologies, a way to proceed can be to focus on the legal enquiry related to economic, political and policy factors which contribute to its material emergence. This can broaden the focus from thinking about its impact to contextualizing its production and development. Further, it allows a way of determining the extent to which social science and ethical frames can apply to the governance of QT, given the legal and practical realities of technology production and use. This article maps the myriad governance frameworks being envisaged to think about the future of QT. It zooms onto the discussion related to the access divide being framed for QT to understand the points of legal intervention. It uses the case of quantum computing to understand the way legal and practical policy solutions have been ideated. It highlights the way these solutions entrench power of digital infrastructure providers further. This seeks to motivate further work to expand the scope of a legal framework for QT.
K1  - quantum technologies
ER  -

Save .RIS

Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {Probing the production of quantum technologies to imagine its legal framework},
	author = {Mittal, A.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2024.6},
	year = {2025},
	date = {2025-01-08},
	journal = {Research Directions: Quantum Technologies},
	volume = {3},
	abstract = {Quantum technologies (QT) are being awaited with excitement. They are supported by many governments, the corporate sector, international bodies and technology forecasters. There is discursive investment as well in terms of creating expectations and laying down a vision for the ‘Second Quantum Revolution’. Science and technology studies are also playing their part to think of the quantum future along with philosophical discussions around it. These visions and expectations perform an implicit and latent function of steering policy proposals and governance. At the current stage of development of quantum technologies, a comprehensive and cogent legal framework is hard to envisage. As it is difficult to foresee the final shape of these technologies, a way to proceed can be to focus on the legal enquiry related to economic, political and policy factors which contribute to its material emergence. This can broaden the focus from thinking about its impact to contextualizing its production and development. Further, it allows a way of determining the extent to which social science and ethical frames can apply to the governance of QT, given the legal and practical realities of technology production and use. This article maps the myriad governance frameworks being envisaged to think about the future of QT. It zooms onto the discussion related to the access divide being framed for QT to understand the points of legal intervention. It uses the case of quantum computing to understand the way legal and practical policy solutions have been ideated. It highlights the way these solutions entrench power of digital infrastructure providers further. This seeks to motivate further work to expand the scope of a legal framework for QT.},
	keywords = {quantum technologies},
}

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Digital sovereignty, digital infrastructures, and quantum horizons

Gordon, G.

AI & Society, vol. 39, pp: 125–137, 2024

Abstract

This article holds that governmental investments in quantum technologies speak to the imaginable futures of digital sovereignty and digital infrastructures, two major areas of change driven by related technologies like AI and Big Data, among other things, in international law today. Under intense development today for future interpolation into digital systems that they may alter, quantum technologies occupy a sort of liminal position, rooted in existing assemblages of computational technologies while pointing to new horizons for them. The possibilities they raise are neither certain nor determinate, but active investments in them (legal, political and material investments) offer perspective on digital technology-driven influences on an international legal imagination. In contributing to visions of the future that are guiding ambitions for digital sovereignty and digital infrastructures, quantum technologies condition digital technology-driven changes to international law and legal imagination in the present. Privileging observation and description, I adapt and utilize a diffractive method with the aim to discern what emerges out of the interference among the several related things assembled for this article, including material technologies and legal institutions. In conclusion, I observe ambivalent changes to an international legal imagination, changes which promise transformation but appear nonetheless to reproduce current distributions of power and resources.

Links

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01729-7

Digital sovereignty, quantum technologies

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Gordon, G.
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024-02-13
T1  - Digital sovereignty, digital infrastructures, and quantum horizons
JO  - AI & Society
VL  - 39
SP  - 125–137
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01729-7
AB  - This article holds that governmental investments in quantum technologies speak to the imaginable futures of digital sovereignty and digital infrastructures, two major areas of change driven by related technologies like AI and Big Data, among other things, in international law today. Under intense development today for future interpolation into digital systems that they may alter, quantum technologies occupy a sort of liminal position, rooted in existing assemblages of computational technologies while pointing to new horizons for them. The possibilities they raise are neither certain nor determinate, but active investments in them (legal, political and material investments) offer perspective on digital technology-driven influences on an international legal imagination. In contributing to visions of the future that are guiding ambitions for digital sovereignty and digital infrastructures, quantum technologies condition digital technology-driven changes to international law and legal imagination in the present. Privileging observation and description, I adapt and utilize a diffractive method with the aim to discern what emerges out of the interference among the several related things assembled for this article, including material technologies and legal institutions. In conclusion, I observe ambivalent changes to an international legal imagination, changes which promise transformation but appear nonetheless to reproduce current distributions of power and resources.
K1  - Digital sovereignty
K1  - quantum technologies
ER  -

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Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {Digital sovereignty, digital infrastructures, and quantum horizons},
	author = {Gordon, G.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01729-7},
	year = {2024},
	date = {2024-02-13},
	journal = {AI & Society},
	volume = {39},
	pages = {125–137},
	abstract = {This article holds that governmental investments in quantum technologies speak to the imaginable futures of digital sovereignty and digital infrastructures, two major areas of change driven by related technologies like AI and Big Data, among other things, in international law today. Under intense development today for future interpolation into digital systems that they may alter, quantum technologies occupy a sort of liminal position, rooted in existing assemblages of computational technologies while pointing to new horizons for them. The possibilities they raise are neither certain nor determinate, but active investments in them (legal, political and material investments) offer perspective on digital technology-driven influences on an international legal imagination. In contributing to visions of the future that are guiding ambitions for digital sovereignty and digital infrastructures, quantum technologies condition digital technology-driven changes to international law and legal imagination in the present. Privileging observation and description, I adapt and utilize a diffractive method with the aim to discern what emerges out of the interference among the several related things assembled for this article, including material technologies and legal institutions. In conclusion, I observe ambivalent changes to an international legal imagination, changes which promise transformation but appear nonetheless to reproduce current distributions of power and resources.},
	keywords = {Digital sovereignty, quantum technologies},
}

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